Dodgers could take a cue on Roki Sasaki from Yankees’ gutsy roster decision

During a time when teams are trying to emulate what the Los Angeles Dodgers are doing, it is the Dodgers who may want to take a page out of the New York Yankees' playbook. It may just provide the blueprint for how LA should handle their Roki Sasaki problem.

The Yankees were nearing an uncomfortable decision, considering incumbent starting shortstop Anthony Volpe was nearing the completion of his minor league rehab assignment. Since making his debut with the Yankees in 2023, Volpe has never quite taken a step forward with his offensive development. He finished the 2025 season with a 83 wRC+, the lowest of any point in his career, and he struck out over 25% of the time.

Fast forward to his minor-league rehab assignment to start this season, and besides proving to be healthy, Volpe wasn't seeing any results. He posted a 70 wRC+ with an OPS under .650.

Meanwhile, despite a slow start to the season, José Caballero has suddenly become an invaluable piece to New York's starting lineup. He's slashing .307/.351/.511 over his last 94 plate appearances with a 140 wRC+.

From a current production standpoint, it was clear that Caballero should remain the team's starting shortstop while Volpe moved to either the bench or remained in the minors. The latter is what the Yankees chose, as they ended Volpe's rehab assignment and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Dodgers need to take the kid gloves off with Roki Sasaki

That's the blueprint for the Dodgers. The Sasaki experiment as a starting pitcher simply is not working. He's sitting with a 5.97 ERA through his first six starts this season and striking out under 20% of the hitters he's facing and walking over 11%. Sasaki isn't missing bats; he can't find the strike zone, and when he does, opposing hitters are squaring him up.

If the Yankees can make such a bold call with Volpe, someone they've handed every opportunity imaginable to, the Dodgers need to take the emotion out of the decision and option Sasaki. At this point in his career, Sasaki is not an effective pitcher at the major league level.

Considering Blake Snell is approaching his return, there's a clear path for the Dodgers to option Sasaki. Time will tell if they actually take advantage of the opportunity to do so.

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